PEDESTRIAN.TV has teamed up with Tennis Australia so you’re all caught up for Australian Open 2025.
We sure are in for a treat this Australian Open 2025. Will Novak Djokovic win a record 25th Grand Slam title? Or will Jannik Sinner hold on to the AO title for the second year in a row? Plus, will Aryna Sabalenka become the first woman in almost 30 years to win three consecutive AO titles?
One thing’s for sure: we’ll all be on the edge of our seats from now until January 26, whether you’re screaming from your couch or experiencing the atmosphere live in the Melbourne Park stands.
To celebrate the Australian Open’s 120th (!!) birthday and to get you pumped for this year, let’s look back on the tournament’s most iconic moments.
@ausopen Happy Slam energy hits different 🌞🎾😎 #AO2025 ♬ original sound – Australian Open
1. 1992-1993: Jim Courier jumps into the Yarra River not once but twice
That’s right, American Jim Courier celebrated his grand final win against Stefan Edberg in 1992 by diving into the Yarra River. In 1993, Courier defended his title against Edberg, so what did he do? That’s right, Courier took another celebratory dip in the Yarra.
Petition to start an Australian Open tradition of jumping into the Yarra. Think about it, it’s way cooler than a shoey (and more enjoyable than an ice bath).
2. 1997: Martina Hingis becomes the youngest-ever Grand Slam winner
I don’t know about you, but at 16, I certainly wasn’t winning Grand Slams. Swiss Martina Hingis, on the other hand, was.
Hingis defeated Mary Pierce in 1997, becoming the youngest-ever Grand Slam winner in the Open to this day.
The closest someone has gotten to this title is the youngest male Grand Slam winner, American Michael Chang, at 17 years and three months old.
3. 1998-2003: The Williams sisters verse each other professionally for the first time and have their first Grand Slam match
In the second round of Australian Open 1998, Venus Williams beat Serena in their first professional match.
However, Serena beat Venus in Australian Open 2003 Grand Slam (which is sibling rivalry at its finest). Serena went on to win 23 Grand Slams, retiring in 2022, and Venus has seven and counting.
@ausopen Wait for it… 👀 Williams sisters brilliance at AO 2003! #tennis #serena #serenawilliams #venuswilliams #usopen #ausopen ♬ original sound – Australian Open
4. 2012: The longest-ever Australian Open match
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal battled it out for a gruelling five hours and 53 minutes in the Men’s Singles final in 2012. Both men gave it their all, just look at how neck and neck the score was at 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. In the end, Djokovic prevailed, and you can’t say he didn’t earn that victory.
Nadal has since retired, but will Djokovic win his 25th Grand Slam this Australian Open?
@leretourgagnant NADAL. DJOKOVIC. AUSTRALIAN. 2012. 🤯 #australianopen #nadal #djokovic #nadaldjokovic #australianopen2012 #10k #fyp ♬ Royalty by – Jake 🇵🇭
5. 2022: Ash Barty becomes the first Aussie to win the Australian Open in almost 50 years
Ash Barty is an Aussie legend for many reasons. Getting us a Grand Slam for the first time in 49 years is certainly one of them, winning the Women’s Singles in 2022 against American Danielle Collins.
@halepout The drought is over, Ash Barty is the Australian Open champion 🏆 #barty #ashbarty #ao2022 #tennis #emotional #australia #sports #australianopen #joy ♬ original sound – Halep OUT
The last time Australia won a Men’s Grand Slam was in 1976, thanks to Mark Edmondson against fellow Aussie John Newcombe.
6. January 2025: The Australian Open got its very own sports centre, gaming hub, beauty parlour and concert stadium, AKA Top Court
Not only will you get to watch the greats make history at the AO, but you’ll also be able to play tennis yourself. So you can put your money where your mouth is when you scream that you can do better. Plus, you can challenge your mates to table tennis, basketball, and interactive games from Fortress.
You can also shop ’til you drop and get your hair, nails and makeup done as a reward afterwards. How could I forget the live music? Benson Boone will play on January 23, Kaytranada on January 24, and Kesha (!!) on January 25.
Experience all this and more by nabbing a Grounds Pass with your Arena ticket (or tickets if you’re like me).
